San Diego U-T Preps

+++++ KIRK KENNEY'S PICKS +++++

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC at EASTLAKE

No. 3-ranked Cathedral Catholic and No. 7 Eastlake are both run-dominated teams — the Dons sharing the load among four players while the Titans count on Isaiah Strayhorn (799 yards, 7 TDs). Cathedral quarterback Clayton Dale (565 yards, 2 TDs) is there when needed. Don’t be surprised if this hinges on a late turnover.

Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 21, Eastlake 20.

GRANITE HILLS at EL CAPITAN

No. 5-ranked El Capitan has allowed a section-best 14 points in four games. That defense — which will be tested by Granite Hills QB Seth Collins (391 yards, 5 TDs passing/361 yards, 8 TDs rushing) — should make the difference in this battle of unbeatens.

Prediction: El Capitan 24, Granite Hills 14.

MADISON at MIRA MESA

Madison pinned a 41-6 loss on the Marauders last season. This game should be much closer, but the Warhawks still have too many offensive weapons for Mira Mesa.

Prediction: Madison 28, Mira Mesa 21.

SCRIPPS RANCH at POINT LOMA

Point Loma is two points from being undefeated this season. Scripps, which has lost four straight to the Pointers, competes but likely will wear down in the second half.

Prediction: Point Loma 30, Scripps Ranch 14.

LA JOLLA at CORONADO

La Jolla QB Collin Rugg (1,544 yards, 21 TDs) and Co. should provide a formidable challenge for Coronado. The Islanders have allowed 42 points in back-to-back losses.

Prediction: La Jolla 42, Coronado 17.

MAR VISTA at SANTANA

These teams are headed in opposite directions. Mar Vista is on a three-game winning streak while Santana has lost three in a row. But it should be close if Santana can slow the Mar Vista running game (7.5 yards per play).

Prediction: Mar Vista 17, Santana 14.

SWEETWATER at CALEXICO

Sweetwater’s 1983 team set a school record with 54 points allowed. This year’s Red Devils may not match that, but they’ve allowed only 19 points in four games. Calexico has allowed 132 points.

Prediction: Sweetwater 28, Calexico 7.

Last week: 6-1. Season: 25-10.

+++++ JOHN MAFFEI'S PICKS +++++

SAN PASQUAL at EL CAMINO

San Pasqual fell to 0-4 after a 20-13 loss to Mt. Carmel last week. The Eagles, last season’s San Diego Section Division I finalist, have been outscored 119-55. El Camino is 3-1, having won three in a row after an opening-week loss to Point Loma.

Prediction: El Camino 35, San Pasqual 27.

EL CAJON VALLEY at ORANGE GLEN

El Cajon Valley is 2-2 but has been outscored 154-71. Orange Glen is 5-0 for the first time since 1988. The Patriots have thrown just 12 passes this season but have averaged 7.7 yards per run. Roger Rickman leads the way with 755 yards and 10 TDs.

Prediction: Orange Glen 34, El Cajon Valley 21.

VALHALLA at WEST HILLS

Valhalla is 2-2, winning its last two games by a combined 76-27. West Hills is 3-2 after beating La Jolla and Valley Center the last two weeks. Jacob Shaw has 519 rushing yards for West Hills.

Prediction: West Hills 28, Valhalla 21.

VINCENT MEMORIAL at TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN

Vincent Memorial has raced to a 4-0 start, outscoring opponents 146-44. Tri-City Christian, having played the tougher schedule, is 1-3 and has given up 206 points. RB Alex Beck leads TCC with 331 yards on 39 carries. This game is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Prediction: TCC 24, Vincent Memorial 18.

HILLTOP at OTAY RANCH

Hilltop beat Coronado last week to snap a three-game losing streak and go to 2-3. QB Daniel Sanchez has accounted for 1,158 yards. Otay Ranch started the season with three wins but has lost its last two to St. Augustine and Steele Canyon.

Prediction: Otay Ranch 31, Hilltop 24.

KEARNY at LINCOLN

Kearny is 0-4 and struggling. The Komets have scored just 21 points this season. Lincoln, coming off a bye, snapped a two-game losing streak two weeks ago, beating Olympian, to go to 2-2.

Prediction: Lincoln 24, Kearny 10.

POWAY at GROSSMONT

Poway won its first game but has lost its last four. Grossmont is 2-2 but has been forced to play three quarterbacks because of injuries.

Prediction: Grossmont 33, Poway 21.

Last week: 6-1. Season: 26-9.